This year has been nothing short of incredible for our veterinary hospital and we have you to thank, Colorado Springs! What was a little known veterinary clinic on the west side of town has grown into a well-known and highly respected organization within our community and the City of Colorado Springs. Many have begun to take notice of what we have been able to accomplish over this past year when many are still reeling from a sluggish economy. Some of our more recent accomplishments include:

Having 1,000+ More Client Visits This Year Over Last Year

Having Served More Than 600 New Clients and 750 New Patients This Year

New Retail Offerings

Expanded Business Hours to Better Meet the Needs of Our Clients

Supporting Local Conservation Sponsorships

Involvement in Community Service and Support Projects

Continued Commitment to Advances in Veterinary Research

Many of you have been with us from the start and have witnessed our growth firsthand. Others of you may have just recently joined our family and have experienced a different and better kind of veterinary experience -- one that truly cares about you and your beloved pets. It is one thing to use this as a nice catchphrase like many in our industry have done. But with this wonderful staff of ours, we truly mean it when we say it.

You can go to almost any veterinary clinic and probably receive good service. But at Bear Creek Veterinary Care, our reputation has been built on providing our clients with GREAT SERVICE! Trust us when we tell you that this is no easy feat. That is not to say that we have not made mistakes; because we have. The difference between us and many other veterinary clinics is that we are not afraid to admit when we are wrong, and we do everything within our ability to make it right with you. We’ve worked countless late nights and have missed numerous dinners and evening plans to make sure your pets receive the quality of care each one deserves; and we are honored to do so.

Though this message is long, it is nearly complete. However, we cannot in good conscience close out a message titled “Reflections” without taking the time to reflect on those loved ones who are terminally ill, or whose lives have been lost, regardless of whether you are a client of ours or not. This is truly one of the most, if not the most, difficult aspect of our job as veterinarians and those who work in the field, and we carry with us your sadness and heartache. Our hearts go out to each and every one of you who have lost a loved one and we pray that each of you finds peace and comfort in the wonderful and lasting memories of your time spent together. Pets come into our lives, sometimes unexpectedly, leave everlasting impressions on our hearts and in our souls, and forever change who we are and who we are to become. And for that we are forever grateful.

We want to publicly thank all of our wonderful clients, along with the doctors and staff of Bear Creek Veterinary Care for making this an amazing year to remember. As always, we welcome and aspire to be talked about in your spheres of influence, as that is the ultimate testament to our company’s success.

Bear Creek Veterinary Care is all about strong communities, and we are proud to be part of such a great and inspiring one. We believe that a healthy community includes everyone having access to parks and recreation, strong schools, and ample exposure to arts and culture. Strong communities raise strong, well rounded kids, attract a variety of employment opportunities to the area, and makes living in the neighborhood that much more rewarding.

Please keep this in mind during this election season when you are filling out your ballot. Having a safe neighborhood and a great community isn’t free, but it is amazing how far a small investment in your community can take us together.

Diego is our pet of the month! Diego found his parents at the Humane Society; as he caught their attention with his stunning blue eyes and cute puppy face! He has been his owners' hero every day by being a fantastic companion and a huge cuddle bug. Not only is Diego very handsome, but he is also extremely bright and likes to show off all of his great tricks. If Diego could choose a job, he would definitely be a K-9 Police Officer because he is a very talented sniffer. He absolutely loves to sniff out his favorite toys in challenging hiding spots! His Mom says that if he were a celebrity he would be Will Smith. Diego is a super special pup, and the staff at BCVC are so happy to have him and his wonderful family as clients!

This May, our Pet of the Month is Nya! Nya is a 6 year old boxer who treats her owners’ daughter like her own and loves to shower her whole family with kisses! Nya may have started out as the quiet runt of the litter, but quickly found her voice. Even though Nya has to have everything her way, she wouldn’t want to be a movie star because she would get too nervous and does not like drama. If Nya could choose a profession, she would be a competitive eater; she has shown her goat-like skill by eating a couch, love-seat, lounge, and tennis balls, in addition to many other items. Even though Nya can be a bit of a nervous wreck sometimes, her family loves her just the way she is and would never change a thing!

In Colorado, the month of April typically marks the beginning of “rattlesnake season,” as spring time brings about increased rattlesnake activity as they emerge from winter hibernation. As temperatures rise, these snakes will begin to emerge from their winter dens and can be found sunning themselves on areas of rocks and pavement in the midday sun. Later in the summer, they spend the hottest part of the day under rocks or in the shade.

The Prairie Rattlesnake is one of only two venomous snakes native to Colorado. Despite its name, the Prairie Rattlesnake can be found in the foothills as high as 7,500 feet. In Colorado Springs, many of our favorite and most popular hiking trails and fishing holes are home to the Prairie Rattlesnake. Some of the areas where rattlesnake sightings commonly occur include: Ute Valley Park; Pulpit Rock Open Space; Quail Lake; Red Rocks Canyon; Cheyenne Mountain State Park; and Garden of the Gods.

If you are concerned about the threat of rattlesnakes, there is a rattlesnake vaccine available for dogs but it is something that should be discussed with your veterinarian as it is not recommended for every dog, and administration is determined on a case by case basis. The vaccine is meant for use in healthy dogs to help decrease the severity of rattlesnake bites. Benefits of the vaccines are that it reduces the amount of pain and swelling experienced by your pet(s), provides faster recovery times, and allows pet owners more time to get to a veterinary hospital.

The vaccine works by stimulating your dog’s immune system to produce antibodies against rattlesnake toxin. Dogs need to be inoculated at least 30 days before any potential exposure to rattlesnakes (full antibody protection is not reached until 30 days following the vaccination), and should get a booster shot every six months thereafter. Pet owners should be aware that not all vaccines are 100% effective. Even if a vaccinated dog is bitten, the situation should be treated as an emergency and the owner should seek veterinarian care as soon as possible.

At Bear Creek Veterinary Care, we do not routinely recommend this vaccine unless your pet will be hiking and/or camping in a rattlesnake endemic area, or you are planning to be in a known rattlesnake area without a veterinary clinic nearby. In these scenarios, it would be best to discuss the pros and cons of vaccinating your pet with one of our doctors.

For our Pet of the Month this April, our favorite Min Pin demands your attention! Even though Sammie was the runt of her littler, she has a big personality and is very particular! Sammie loves to burrow in blankets and will spend a long time making sure her blanket is just the right amount of cozy before lying down. If Sammie were a famous person, her owner’s say that she would be Lucille Ball and that if she could choose and occupation, she would be a circus clown. Sammie’s too big for her body attitude and comical bossiness has captured our hearts.

Kelly is this month's nominated pet of the month! Don't try to convince this calico that she is not royalty. In less than twelve months in her new home, Kelly has been able to train the family dog to respect her authority, and has developed a taste for the finer things in life...roast beef! On special occasions, Kelly will go out of her way to show her mom that she loves her by showering her with lots of love and kisses.

Dental care is just as important to your pet as it is to you. Over 70% of all adult pets suffer from periodontal disease, meaning that they have loss of the supporting structures of their teeth which often results in loose teeth, changes in behavior, bacteria in the blood stream and damage to vital organs. That is why the Doctors at Bear Creek Veterinary Care recommend a yearly Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment exam (COHAT) for your pet. Proper oral health care, both professionally and at home, can help extend your pet's happy and healthy years. Indications that your pet might be in need of oral health care include:

Bad breath

Reluctance to chew

Change in chewing behaviors

Reluctance to allow home care

Broken or discolored teeth

Loose teeth

Decreased appetite

Difficulty swallowing

Rubbing of the face with paw or on carpeting

Contact us today to discuss your pet's oral health and ask what you can do to keep your pet's mouth and body healthy.

Bullzeye and Twotoez are this month's nominated pets of the month! Their parents wanted to hear the pitter patter of paws around the house, and learned about two feral cat Mamas who had new litters of kittens. Of course, the Mitchells fell in love with one kitten from each litter.... Bullzeye is a great protector-- he is a superb bug hunter, and Twotoez is a keen card player. Both of them can talk your ear off and want to be involved with everything that goes on in the house!